On politics in the Golden State

Two Democratic state senators to miss budget vote

Sen. Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach), who was diagnosed with a blood clot in her abdomen in May and has been absent from the Capitol all but one day since then, will not attend Thursday's budget vote.

"She is not going to attend today's vote on the budget because her doctor prefers she not travel," said Ray Sotero, Oropeza's chief of staff. "She made this decision because it appears there are enough votes for the budget to be approved without her presence."

Sen. Pat Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) also has had an extended absence because of illness and will not be at the Capitol to vote Thursday.

The state Senate was scheduled to convene to vote on the spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1 at 11 a.m.